Nestor Cortes is known for his courage. Even before he said he’s willing to risk a ring next season, everyone knew Cortes had the guts to choose him.

But sometimes courage is not enough.

While not exactly shocking, Aaron Boone showed tremendous faith in the plucky, beloved Cortes when he selected him to pitch to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman with the game on the line in the 10th inning, but it was a gamble that wasn’t worth it.

Tim Hill was ready, and that should have been his spot. Hill dominated last October, allowing just one run in 5 ²/₃ innings.

“You can’t throw someone in there who A) hasn’t pitched in five weeks, and B) is a starting pitcher without a fast fastball,” one scout said of Cortes, who gave up the game-winning grand slam. against Freddie Freeman in the Yankees’ 6-3 Game 1 loss.

“He hasn’t thrown in over a month!” a second scout said incredulously.

It’s not like Boone had Tanner Scott, Josh Hader or an honest left-handed shutdown to go against two of the strongest left-handed hitters in baseball, if not the two best left-handed hitters. But he did have a lefty who does that job, and does it well all year, in Hill.

No one in the Yankees clubhouse questioned the call to join Cortes. Hill said, “Whatever Boonie decides, we all trust him.”

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Boone defended the call.

“I just liked the matchup,” he said. “The reality is he’s been throwing the ball really well the last few weeks as he’s been preparing for this. I knew it would be hard to double Shohei if Tim Hill gets him on the ground and then Mookie (Betts{ behind him is a tough matchup there. So I felt convicted with Nestor in that spot.

Cortes said he felt ready. “Once I walked in, I had all the confidence in the world,” Cortes said.

Cortes exudes confidence, but also courage. But sometimes that’s not enough.